This is not a question of whether we should leave or not but one of focus. On this matter @NicolaSturgeon is spot on. It is in the interest of all (including the EU) if UK focuses on a policy of eradication ->
X : New strain is no more deadly.
Me : Not the point. The new strain spreads more quickly. The existing strain was deadly enough with UK having 2M cases and close to 70K deaths without overloading our healthcare system. The extra pressure this new strain will cause is not good.
Hence it is so important to follow Government advice, to socially distance, to wear masks, to keep calm, to support others and to act as one nation.
Really disappointed to hear about people flocking to train stations to escape tier 4 areas.
X : Flocking to escape?
Me : Well, I was trying to be kind and consider that many had travel plans they might desire to bring forward. Would you rather me use the Guardian's terminology of "flee" - theguardian.com/world/video/20…
Just to add to the new potential super spreader events ... it seems the privileged have taken to mocking others ... a bit more sensitivity is called for.
X : I thought you said Matt Hancock would make a good PM?
Me : He would. Willing to adapt, willing to listen, admits mistakes, willing to be frank and earnest - theguardian.com/world/video/20…
... however, Corbyn would have made a far far better PM than all of them. Unfortunately we missed that opportunity twice. C'est la vie.
"Massive over reaction by France in closing borders" ... for 48 hours? This is not an overreaction, this is known as the pecautionary principle and its purpose is to give time for further scientific analysis of an unknown -
... or "English flu" ... well, given some were daft enough to try and label variants with geographic origin, it seems only fair.
X : Bloody brexit.
Me : Sorry?
X : Have you seen the operation stack in Kent?
Me : I live in Kent. The current problem is due to the new covid variant. Do you have any idea of how much more of a mess this would have been if we hadn't been preparing for brexit?
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Prompted to read into the SolarWinds supply chain attack ... ok, a malware product that people installed on machine or in virtualised servers ... good to see some of the responses - geekwire.com/2020/microsoft… ...
... however, the Amazon keynotes on simplify and observability couldn't have come at a better time - siliconangle.com/2020/12/15/go-…
On that theme of operating - AWS fault injector system - chaos monkeys / the master of disaster for the masses - excellent move aws.amazon.com/fis/
I had a fascinating conversation today examining poverty, collective behaviour and teenage pregnancy through the lens of maps. There is some wonderful work happening in Columbia. Awe inspiring.
But something I've noticed of late is a real change in intent with a new crop of companies ... a real focus on ethics, principles and doing collective good rather than just simply accruing wealth.
There is also a sense of an awakening, maybe people are finally realising that the idea that we can't afford basic services like a decent healthcare, decent education, decent social services doesn't really past muster when there are such symbols of profligate wealth.
"£9B went to companies run by friends or associates of the Conservative party" ... in other words, the basic principles of challenge and spend control were thrown out of the window. This needs a full public inquiry ->
As one of the co-authors of the "better for less" paper, as an advocate for the introduction of spend control in 2010, having seen the hard work that went into savings billions ... I am truly disappointed.
In a crisis, it is important to challenge and not to panic. This is why you need systems like spend control, and G-Cloud rather than "special" processes especially not "VIP processes" - thetimes.co.uk/article/german… - it looks like we've opened the door to corruption and exploitation.
I do believe that new Aus MPs should have the words "I dedicate my life to serving the public especially those with the greatest needs" tattooed permanently across their chests in inch high letters ... actually, all MPs, everywhere. Just to remind them when they look in a mirror.
Contextual blindness - the tendency for members of the privileged to think that something other than luck was responsible for their position and privilege ->
X : Why random?
Me : Take 66M people. Give them each £1. Each year they toss a coin. Heads your wealth increases 40%. Tails your wealth reduces 30%. Overall, wealth grows ... but ... after 26 years, by pure random luck, 4% of the people will own almost 50% of the wealth ...
... the top 0.1% will own more wealth than the bottom 50% ... it's just pure random luck, tossing coins. You'd have mass inequality. The wealthiest will have 7,000x the wealth of the average. No talent involved.
X : Have you ever built a guild on World of Warcraft?
Me : Long ago. It was substantial but not in the league of the largest guilds which are 900+ ... never made it that far. However, you can build much larger guilds on EVE online. It's good management training, I'd recommend it.